Kookaburras soar past Argentina

The world number one-ranked Australian men's hockey team came back from a goal down to beat Argentina 3-1 in the second match of the Kookaburras Challenge on Friday night at Perth Hockey Stadium.

The visitors took a shock lead when Matias Vila opened the scoring on eight minutes before Australia eventually broke the Argentinian defence 10 minutes into the second half to win its first penalty corner.

The initial shot on goal drawing a low diving save but livewire Mark Patterson was on hand to pounce and bring the scores level.

Australia finally earned a second penalty corner after sustained pressure on 58 minutes which Luke Doerner duly converted after a clever dummy by Jamie Dwyer drew the rushing defence.

Ten minutes later, after initially giving a penalty corner to the Kookaburras, the umpires awarded a penalty stroke amidst howls of protest from the Argentine defence.

Midfielder Simon Orchard calmly stepped up to the penalty spot and put the game beyond doubt, making it 3-1.

In the early game, The Netherlands defeated Australia A 2-1 with the Dutch dominating both territory and possession.